George W. Bush
| George W. Bush | |
|---|---|
| |
| Order | 43rd President of the United States |
| In office | January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009 |
| Vice President | Dick Cheney |
| Preceded by | Bill Clinton |
| Succeeded by | Barack Obama |
| Born | July 6, 1946 (79 years old) New Haven, Connecticut, United States |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Laura Bush (m. 1977) |
| Children | Barbara, Jenna |
| Profession | Businessman, politician |
| Alma mater | Yale University Harvard Business School |
| Signature | File:GeorgeWBush signature.svg |
George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He is the son of former President George H. W. Bush, making them one of two father-son presidential pairs in U.S. history (the other being John Adams and John Quincy Adams).
Early Life and Education
- Born in New Haven, Connecticut while his father was attending Yale
- Raised primarily in Texas
- Earned a history degree from Yale University
- Later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School — the only U.S. president to hold an MBA
Career Before the Presidency
- Worked in the oil industry and co-owned the Texas Rangers baseball team
- Elected Governor of Texas in 1994 and re-elected in 1998
- Built a reputation as a “compassionate conservative” and bipartisan leader
2000 Presidential Election
- Won the 2000 election against Al Gore in one of the most contested races in U.S. history
- The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore effectively ended the recount in Florida and awarded him the presidency
Presidency (2001–2009)
- Presidency defined by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
- Created the Department of Homeland Security
- Led wars in Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003)
- Passed significant tax cuts and No Child Left Behind Act
- Criticized for the federal response to Hurricane Katrina
- Faced the onset of the 2008 financial crisis at the end of his second term
Domestic and Foreign Policy
- Advocated for the Patriot Act and expanded surveillance
- His foreign policy doctrine focused on pre-emptive war and combating terrorism
- Sought to promote democracy abroad, particularly in the Middle East
Personal Life
- Married to Laura Bush; the couple has twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna
- Known for his folksy demeanor, religious faith, and close ties to Texas culture
Post-Presidency
- Focused on painting, veterans’ support, and humanitarian work
- Founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas
- Refrained from political commentary during Obama’s term but has occasionally spoken out in later years
Legacy
- One of the most polarizing modern presidents
- Praised for leadership after 9/11, but heavily criticized for the Iraq War and economic issues
- His approval ratings rebounded post-presidency due to public reassessment and personal likability